Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced today that the average premium for the 8.2 million people covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will increase by 3.4 percent in 2013, which is lower than last year’s increase of 3.8 percent. The average premium increase for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will be less than 1 percent. The average annual increase for FEHB premiums has steadily declined since 2009 when the average premium increase was 7.0 percent. There are no significant benefit changes for 2013.

On average, FEHB Program enrollees with self only coverage will pay $2.75 more per bi-weekly pay period, and enrollees with family coverage will pay $6.39 more. Premiums for Health Maintenance Organizations will increase an average of 5.3 percent, while Fee-for-Service plans will see an average increase of 3.0 percent.

“I am pleased that we were able to keep the average increase low again this year,” said OPM Director John Berry. “It is important that we deliver competitive rates and benefits through an efficiently run program to attract and retain top-talent in the federal service. Once again, we successfully used our market leverage and previous years’ experience to negotiate the lowest possible premium rates without sacrificing benefits.”

The 2013 Open Season for health, dental, and vision insurance and flexible spending accounts will be held from November 12, 2012 to December 10, 2012. The annual Open Season gives federal employees and retirees the opportunity to review their health plan choices and make changes for the following year. It also allows eligible employees to enroll for coverage. FEHB Program enrollees should review the benefits and premiums for their health plan choices and decide what coverage will best fit their healthcare needs in the coming year.

Additionally, beginning on May 1, 2012, employees of eligible tribes and tribal organizations may now enroll for FEHB coverage. This will be the first regular Open Season enrollment period for tribes and tribal organization employees to make changes to their current health plans. Approximately 33 tribes with 3254 tribal employees are currently enrolled. During Open Season employees of participating tribes and tribal organizations may also stay with their current FEHB plan or select a new one.

Established in 1960, the FEHB Program is the largest employer-sponsored health benefits program in the United States. In 2013, employees, retirees, and their families will have 230 health plan choices. The government provides a weighted average contribution of 72 percent of premiums with a cap of no more than 75 percent of total premium cost. Approximately 90 percent of all federal employees participate in the Program.